The heart goes out to those whose notes desert them
If you come bearing a bouquet, please leave out the bluebells.
When moths collide
Deeper issues beyond nurses' wages need to be addressed
Deeper issues beyond nurses' wages need to be addressed
Raising nurses' pay and boosting staff are long overdue, but if the management system is not addressed, will we just end up with more disgruntled staff who may be better paid, Elspeth McLean asks.
Opinion: Curran needs to wise up
Curran needs to wise up and look to the cabinet manual
Dear Clare, on a bad day, or even a good one, do you wish you were cleverer?
Warm fuzzy aftermath hides cold hard truth
Warm fuzzy aftermath hides cold hard truth
Now I am used to the drill, I like to get in first.
Wanting to believe information gathering can't get any worse
Wanting to believe information gathering can't get any worse
In the 1970s, I loved being a reporter. On a good day, there was nothing better.
Prevention better than cure
Prevention better than cure
My long-suffering optometrist would not have been impressed. ACC might have had a few questions too.
Sadly, oak no substitute for living son
Sadly, oak no substitute for living son
Dear Mrs Porter,
Is it really about lack of information, Anne?
Is it really about lack of information, Anne?
Dear Anne,Wouldn't you love to wave a magic wand over every parent in the land, instantly making them love and nurture their children?
Let’s flag the important stuff now
Let’s flag the important stuff now
Dear John, Easter is a time for forgiveness.
We worm farmers will risk all for success
We worm farmers will risk all for success
Dear Michael, The recent furore over the dangers of worm farming has been disconcerting for me.
Transparent public service remains a rarity
Transparent public service remains a rarity
Research and change have been on my mind as I have blithered into the new year.
PM vows to remain our humble servant
PM vows to remain our humble servant
Dear John, It's hard isn't it, maintaining humility in the face of applause and adoring fans?
Time for some of our politicians to take a good dose of elixir
Time for some of our politicians to take a good dose of elixir
Even the punniness of sitting on a windswept tree stump in Blanket Bay knitting a baby blanket last weekend could not shake my autumn of discontent.
Let there be light in dark places
Let there be light in dark places
Size doesn't matter, but even in the softly lit bar, I couldn't help noticing it was bigger than mine.
Celebrity is a cock-eyed concoction for our times
Celebrity is a cock-eyed concoction for our times
Hooray for the Old School Mate from Feilding for setting me straight. The great thing about a true friend is their ability to bring you abruptly down to earth when you have been inhaling too many cleaning products and thinking longingly of the Christmas trifle sherry.
Moves to blacken ex-wife's name highlight an ironic lack of focus
Moves to blacken ex-wife's name highlight an ironic lack of focus
Dear Charles, as a mega-rich chap, you are probably not used to getting advice for nothing. Trouble is, pay enough money and the people shelling out the words of wisdom are likely to tell you exactly what you want to hear.
Sisters vie for A&P show bacon and egg pie glory
Sisters vie for A&P show bacon and egg pie glory
Those who know my competitive nature is roughly the same as that of a dead slug may be surprised to know serious competition has been on my mind this week.
All this spin, and talent, too
All this spin, and talent, too
Alert readers will have noticed there has been a flurry of documents about Novopay released recently under the Official Information Act.
Dancing, punning and origami all part of the season's festivities
Dancing, punning and origami all part of the season's festivities
On this day after Christmas I have decided it is only right for me to be frank, incensed and more.
Breakfast in bed on Beneficiary Bashing Day
Breakfast in bed on Beneficiary Bashing Day
If you are still recovering from that Sunday morning lie-in - the one accompanied by cold tea and burnt toast, the gift of something pink, or possibly a power tool you couldn't imagine using in a million years, then this unverified "leaked" recording may be of interest.